Project's Partner Institutions

Associated Institutions

EU Funding

Reuniting Europe

2000-2009: A Reunited Europe - Further Expansion - Deeper Integration

The euro is
the new currency for many Europeans. 11 September 2001 becomes synonymous with
the 'War on Terror' after hijacked airliners are flown into buildings in New
York and Washington. EU countries begin to work much more closely together to
fight crime. The political divisions between east and west Europe are finally
declared healed when no fewer than 10 new countries join the EU in 2004,
followed by two more in 2007. A financial crisis hits the global economy in
September 2008, leading to closer economic cooperation between EU countries. The
Treaty of Lisbon is ratified by all EU countries before entering into force on
1 December 2009. It provides the EU with modern institutions and more efficient
working methods.

On 11 September 2001, hijacked airliners
are flown into the twin towers of the World
Trade Center
in New York and the Pentagon building in Washington. Nearly 3 000
people die. The EU countries stand firmly alongside the United States
in the fight against international terror.

1 January 2002

Euro notes
and coins arrive. Printing, minting and distributing them in 12 countries is a
major logistical operation. More than 80 billion coins are involved. Notes are
the same for all countries. Coins have one common face, giving the value, while
the other carries a national emblem. All circulate freely. Using Finnish (or
any other) euro coin to buy a Madrid
metro ticket is something we take for granted.

31 March 2003

As part of
its foreign and security policy, the EU takes
on peace-keeping operations in the Balkans, firstly in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and then
in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
In both cases, EU-led forces replace NATO units. Internally, the EU agrees to
create an area of freedom, security and justice
for all citizens by 2010.

1 May 2004

Eight
countries of central and eastern Europe — the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia — join the EU, finally ending
the division of Europe decided by the Great Powers 60 years earlier at Yalta. Cyprus and Malta also become members.

The 25 EU
countries sign a Treaty establishing a European Constitution . It is
designed to streamline democratic decision-making and management in an EU of 25
and more countries. It also creates the post of a European Foreign Minister. It
has to be ratified by all 25 countries before it can come into force. When
citizens in both France and
the Netherlands
voted 'No' to the Constitution in referendums in 2005, EU leaders declared a
"period of reflection".

The Kyoto Protocol,
an international treaty to limit global warming and cut emissions of greenhouse
gases, comes into force. The EU has consistently taken the lead in efforts to
reduce the impact of climate change. The United States is not a party to the
protocol.

The
communications revolution continues. Many schools and homes now have high-speed
access to the Internet. Text messages and SMS are the favourite way for young
people to stay in constant contact with each other. Wide-screen and flat-screen
TV sets and DVDs set the pace for home entertainment.

1 January 2007

Two more
countries from eastern Europe, Bulgaria
and Romania,
now join the EU, brining the number of member states to 27 countries. Croatia, the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey are also
candidates for future membership.

The 27 EU
countries sign the Treaty of Lisbon, which amends the previous
Treaties. It is designed to make the EU more democratic, efficient and
transparent, and thereby able to tackle global challenges such as climate
change, security and sustainable development. The Treaty of Lisbon is ratified
by all EU countries before entering into force on 1 December 2009.

September 2008

A major
financial crisis hits the world economy. The problems start with mortgage loans
in the United States.
Several European banks also experience difficulties. The crisis leads to closer
economic cooperation between EU countries.

Comments

This project has been funded with the support of the European
Commission. Relevant publications, communications and research work reflect only
the authors' views. Hence, the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use
which may be made of the information contained therein.